Samsung UK seeks the next David Bailey in Facebook campaign

Could you be the next David Bailey? If you live in the United Kingdom and share the same name as the famous British photographer, you've already got a head start on the road to being the next big pro--or so Samsung UK cheekily suggests with a new publicity campaign for the Samsung NX1000 digital camera, entitled "We Are David Bailey."

We've seen some unusual campaigns over the years, but this one has to be pretty near the top of the list. Samsung is seeking out 181 Facebook users who're residents of the United Kingdom aged 16 or over (or 13 with parental consent), and able to provide a birth certificate, passport or driver's license showing their name to be David Bailey. If you fit the bill, you could be in line to receive a Samsung NX1000 camera as a loaner. Entrants will be contacted to confirm their identity and interest in photography. Experience isn't necessary, but you will be asked to submit your best photo to demonstrate your creativity.

David Bailey's first camera was a Rolleiflex, not unlike this one.

Impress the judges, and you're in. Once you're accepted, you'll be given weekly and monthly assignments to complete, which you'll need to upload to Samsung UK's Facebook page. You'll give Samsung a permanent, non-exclusive license to the photos, and will have to get consent from anybody appearing in the photos. You may also be asked to be photographed and participate in marketing and promo activities.

If you follow the campaign's terms and conditions, at its conclusion you'll get to keep the camera. (So that's potentially up to 181 cameras on offer in all, with a current street price around £400 apiece!)

If you're not familiar with David Bailey, who began his photographic career over half a century ago, you'll want to take a look at his Wikipedia entry. As part of the "Black Trinity" along with Brian Duffy and Terence Donovan, Bailey became as famous as the celebrities he photographed in 1960s London. His photos captured everybody from Warhol, the Beatles and Jagger to East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray. Shots by Bailey have filled the pages of Vogue and the covers of albums by the likes of the Rolling Stones, not to mention appearing in numerous books and at exhibitions around the world. By asking the UK's other David Baileys to aspire to their namesake, Samsung provides quite the challenge! ;-)

If you're chosen to participate, you'll shoot with a Samsung NX1000. (Coffee not included.)

Of course, if you're not a David Bailey, then you can only sit back and watch the result of the many Baileys that Samsung gathers together for the campaign. (And of course, alert any friends and colleagues who fit the bill!)

And if you're wondering why the curious number of entrants--181 people--the answer is simple. Samsung has apparently already gathered together 19 David Baileys to get the ball rolling. Photos shot by the plurality of Baileys will appear on Samsung UK's Facebook page, and an early selection from those Samsung preselected are already available for your viewing pleasure.